User Reviews

"In Order of Disappearance" (2014 release from Norway; 115 min.) brings the story of Nils, a Swedish guy longtime resident of northern Norway. As the movie opens, Nils and his wife are getting ready to accept the "Citizen of the Year" award of the local chamber of commerce. Nils, who runs a snow removal equipment business, accepts the award with humility and dignity. In a parallel story line, we see a couple of young men getting kidnapped and one of them eventually dies. It turns out to be Nils' son, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, getting mixed up in a local drug gang. Nils knows his son was not an addict and decides to look into the circumstances of the death of his son... At this point we are 15 min. into the movie, but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest movie from Norwegian director Hans Petter Moland in which he collaborates with Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, who plays Nils. The movie was billed on Google Movie Times as a "comedy" and in a sense it might be one, but a very dark one, if that. I found the movie to be a so(m)ber crime drama, in which Skarsgård plays "Joe Sixpack" who is out for revenge of his son's death. Sure there are chuckles here and there, but to me the film resonates a lot more on the level of how an average guy turns out to be a systematic and determined revenge-seeker. The setting of the film, somewhere in northern Norway, is gorgeous, and the use of the snow blowers and snow removal equipment is almost balletic.

This movie is two years old now, and for some reason just popped up in the theater. I saw it this past weekend at the E Street Landmark Theater in Washington, DC. The matinée screening where I saw this at was attended very nicely. No idea why it has taken this long to get into US theaters, but better late than never I suppose. In the meantime I read somewhere that this movie is going to be remade by Hollywood, but without Skarsgård. Say it ain't so! If you are in the mood for a foreign language crime drama with undertones of a dark, if not black, comedy, you cannot go wrong with this. "In Order of Disappearance" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

First Headhunters, now this.. The films that keep coming out of Scandinavia, and in particular Norway, are hard to beat. Headhunters was most definitely one of my favourites of last years and this is also very high on the list.

For me it's the (fairly) unknown actors, the absolutely shameless and inventive humor and I guess that beautiful landscape. And of course the great, very well known, Stellan Skarsgard for whom this seems like it's especially made for. He is perfect and such a great character that you will be rooting for him long after the film is finished. He makes the film, but it probably would have worked with another actor as well, as the story is so original and highly entertaining.

Absolutely loved it and can't wait to see it again. Hollywood: HANDS OFF 8/10

"In Order of Disappearance" is NOT a film for everyone. In some ways, I'd categorize it as 'Murder Porn'...a movie with many, many vivid and brutal killings...like a Tarantino or Guy Ritchie movie. And, like one of these incredibly carnage-filled movies, it's also exceptionally well made. But being well made does not mean it's for everyone....it is a really nasty story of revenge.

When the film begins, two guys are abducted and one is murdered. The other escapes and eventually makes it to see Nils Dickman--the father of the dead man. It seems that the guy who got away was involved with drug dealers but Dickman's son was completely innocent. Well, Nils isn't about to let go and has decided he must have justice--even though he's just one man against a gang of vicious drug dealers. It's funny, as Nils was just awarded a Man of the Year award...and now he's about to become a vicious killing machine.

Nils only has one lead and soon abducts this lead. He savagely beats and then murders the gang member after he learns the next one in the chain of command and does the same once again. After Nils kills his third gang member, the gangs take notice...and think it's a rival Serbian gang behind all this. Soon, it's all out war...and bodies are piling up faster than the audience can keep track of them.

This film is exquisitely directed and realistic to boot. But it's also blood-filled and violent...and I am talking about very realistic and hideous killings. I was actually surprised, as I just assumed Americans and Brits were the only ones making these sort of films! Well made...but please, please, please...DON'T let your kids, mother or Father O'Reilly catch you watching this film!

Unassuming, snow ploughing, 'Citizen of the year', a man of few words, Nils Dickman (Stellan Skarsgård), goes on a vigilante kill crazy rampage, disposing of those mobsters responsible for his son's death, because a man must avenge his son... it's expected of him.

...and that's basically the plot in this quirky, slightly strange, somewhat dark, Nordic humoured movie. After a intriguingly dark and interesting beginning, the plot itself runs a little stale and begins to feel slightly familiar and rehashed. It's a shame, because a weak plot is the movie's only flaw. To me, it felt a little bit of a cop-out from the original premise of the 'ordinary man', that he could conveniently enlist the help of his criminally linked brother, in order to get the movie flowing again.

Nevertheless, there is a lot to take away from the movie, and, even if the plot falls a little flat midway, the characters and even the ambiance certainly do not! There is something so charmingly black in the understated Nordic tone that will keep you enticed - perhaps not loud roaring laughter, but certainly continuous rumbling chuckling throughout. The theme may be familiar, but it is told with a new ice veneer that is typically Norwegian in style, aided by the wonderfully droll backdrop of the mountainous countryside. Whether it be the in-car conversations between mobsters discussing issues such as differences between the welfare systems of cold climate countries as opposed to those of hot climate countries; or the face-off between the kingpin mobster, Greven (Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen) and his passively aggressive, coldly beautiful, ice-queen ex-wife, Marit (Birgitte Hjort Sørensen), these little scenes will most certainly keep you entertained and engaged.

The movie is certainly self-aware and has a little laugh at the quirks of Norwegian culture. This is no more evident than in the king-pin's home with its excessive and immaculate modernist furnishings. Scenes with Greven putting 'five-a-day fruits' ahead of business matters again epitomises the 'new world' of the Norwegian mobster. This modern society is put in stark contrast to the 'old world' of the Serbian rival gang where tradition and loyalty, the notion of an eye-for-an-eye, is paramount. Yet, even despite its odd quirks, the new world can manage to entice the old, with the Papa (Bruno Ganz), in the midst of his manhunt, opening up to new sensations on the cold mountaintop, vicariously experiencing the simple pleasures of the children as they ski down the mountain... and so the movie is perhaps also proud of its culture and origins, giving it a proverbial 'Fargo' feel.

Perhaps it doesn't quite attain the promise of 'high-art' it might suggest in its opening 20 minutes, but soon you learn it doesn't really need to. It's a quirky, superfluous little number that will give you fresh enjoyment on an old theme, and keep you quietly chuckling along, clucking like a hen, until the very end.

As the critics said some days ago, when Kraftidioten (International titled "In order of disappearance") premiered in the main program of the Berlin Film Festival, this is both hilarious, rough and beautiful. While giving loads of fun and entertainment, you'll soon discover that the film has a complex underlying theme which makes this interesting on a much wider scale.

But still, this is not a film for the faint hearted. That said as a warning, because the body-count is bigger than in any Norwegian film I've seen before. There's no sex, but all violence in this, still testosterone filled, movie with a hero called "Dickman". You can't say it more obvious than that.

Or what about a plot with a Swedish plowman working in the remote Norwegian high mountains dealing with Norwegian and Serbian gangsters in a vigilante film, crossed with beautiful Norwegian landscape and droll humor!?! Well, it's completely up my alley.

Hans Petter Moland always delivers. He has made the great films "A somewhat gentle man", "The last lieutenant", "Zero Kelvin", "Aberdeen" and "Comrade Pedersen" amongst others. All of them recommended! It's "A somewhat gentle man" which is most like this last one.

If you loved "Fargo", "Burn after reading", "The big white" or "In Bruges" this is the film for you. It's almost a mix, though it's a bit more dark and bloody, and has a more serious underlying theme. This is balanced beautifully with giving death announcements in a way I've never seen before after the body count rises.

It's seems like a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, though it still has some hilarious Tarantino-like discussions, mainly from minor roles, which adds a lot to the film. They are discussing the great food in the Norwegian prison system, how Norwegians are so environmental that they pick up dog litter in little bags, and the Scandinavian welfare system is discussed as a need because of the snow and lack of sun. A country where even the gangsters drink tomato juice and drive hybrid electric Fisker Karma cars.

But what makes "In order of disappearance" stand out as much more than a hilarious masculine violent "Fargo" is that it actually is a deeper comment about how men act. Our anti superhero is called Dickman, because he really acts like one, though still being a nice and likable man. Not able to express feelings to his wife, which leaves him, avenging that his bloodline via his lost son is all that matters. Of course we know that our society is patriarchal. In this film it's over-exaggerated, but giving a good comment on today's society. The men are the one's both criminal and the users of violence. Dickman didn't even know his son, and though being a "nice" kidnapper, he doesn't even know how to read a bed time story. The film has almost no affection, except between men, and film maker Moland knows to punish those kinds of forbidden feelings. He also, in more way than one, express that men are stupid, doing stupid things, which almost always has a severe consequence.

This is the kind of film I wish would never end. I enjoyed it immensely right from the start, and it even grew from there. The film doesn't give all answers, but our vigilante hero at least gets to do some "good" deeds along the way. And if you hate drug dealers, then this is the film for you.

Stellan Skarsgård is perfect as the understated Swedish immigrant, just voted the inhabitant of the year in his little mountain town, which is a place we really don't get to know where is. The signs says "Welcome to Tyos..." and then the snow constantly covers the rest of the name. Even Oslo is made as a Alaskan-like ice city, where mountains are put where they usually not are. Our hero takes the matters in his own hands when he understands that the police are considering not to investigate the case of his son found dead by drug overdose in the city. He knows of course this is murder. And he is going to revenge his son's death.

The film has so many great supporting roles, which all make up this story, and I'm sure this film will do great world wide. Great scripting again from Danish Kim Fupz Aakeson and great filming by Philip Øgaard. The scenery is awesome, an adds to the film's sentimentality as well as beauty, which makes the whole environment even more exotic.

It's the fourth time Stellan Skarsgård is featured in a Moland-film, and it's not difficult to understand why. But Bruno Ganz is perfect as the Serbian gangster Papa and I also loved Pål Sverre Hagen as the neurotic vegan gangster "Greven" (The Count). But so many from the supporting cast should be praised as well.

Be sure to pick up this treat of a dark gangster comedy! As bloody as they come, but still with a great heart! You won't regret!

Well first of all let me say that I certainly did enjoy this movie. What I don't understand is the fact that some people consider it as a funny crime comedy. Maybe it's because I don't understand the language that I missed some subtle humor or so, I don't know, but the fact is that I for sure didn't laugh once with this movie. The story might not be very original but the actors all did a great job so I can't complain about that. Stellan Skarsgård showed us again that he is a good actor. The story is just another normal citizen searching for revenge after the death of his kid. All in all I thought it was well played and filmed with nice nature shots as well.

Stellan is stellar in Kraftidioten and so are the ever-neurotic villain and his comrades. Northern comedies are famous for a sort of mocking realism, spiced with irony, complete, as a rule, with a generous amount of black humor (cf. Adam's Apples, Flickering Lights, The Green Butchers). Kraftidioten doesn't fail to deliver on that count, for sure. It is at the same time serious, playful, hilarious, and thus highly entertaining. The plot doesn't have huge surprises in store, but what it does have is of the finest strain. The story is nicely spun; the characters are memorable, and dialogs are well-written and wonderfully witty throughout.

The son of a snow plower driver is killed by drug dealers for something he's not involved in. This sends the father, who is by the way a highly-esteemed citizen thanks to his work for the community, into a paternal rage and on a quest to avenge his son, setting a domino effect in motion in the local mafia's life.

A snow-covered dark comedy that should please a wide variety of movie lovers for all the good reasons. Double thumbs up! 9/10.

Well-made action-thriller with Stellan Skarsgård as a decent Swedish snowplowerer in the Norwegian mountains becomes an avenger for his dead son.

Reminds me more of American revenge flicks like 'TAKEN (2008)', 'JOHN WICK (2014)' and 'THE EQUALIZER (2014)' than anything typically Scandinavian... Without ever getting too cheesy or 'poserish' which tend to happen at times when the Scandis attempt at this (for instance 'EXIT (2006)', 'GANGSTER (2007)' or '9 MILLIMETER (1997)' are examples of this when done poorly).

But yeah here they get it right, with a solid and incredibly intense crime boss played by Pål Sverre Hagen and overall pretty stellar acting.

A bit of dark comedy in the mix as well reminiscent of 'FARGO (1996)' and 'THE BIG WHITE (2005)'.

Liam Neeson is in the talks of being the lead in an American remake and that seems like it would be the go to guy with the task, however not sure if it will get any better as it's just fine the way it is.

Finally watched it last night. Instead, I got a film that quickly grew on me as the body count mounted (hence the Englsh title). An earlier reviewer said it was like Fargo, but I would add a touch of an absurd Kill Bill body count. At the end of the film I was laughing out loud. A great dark comedy.

Most movies about revenge tend to focus on the spectacle of cruelty and bloodshed, delivering a film filled with somewhat morally justified killings, but no meaning behind them. This one is not like them. Like other Scandinavian masterpieces, In Order of Disapperance delivers a deep and meaningful story. In Hungary, the distributor tried to advertise the movie as a dark comedy, however, besides a few morbid jokes, there is nothing funny about it. Instead, the script tries to focus on the conflicts and the person tragedies behind the murders and the shootouts, which makes it not just a great gangster flick, but also a great drama. In Hans Petter Moland directing style, every gesture, look, sentence has a meaning, and this is the reason, why for example the main character can function in the story without merely saying any words. Of course, this impact is helped by some performances by Skarsgard, Bruno Ganz and Pal Sverre Hagen.

My only problem with this movie was that it has a somewhat slow pace, and because of that, sometimes it struggled to keep up my attention, but nonetheless, it's a quality piece and I'd definitely recommend it.

Warning/disclaimer: you are not likely to find a very objective review here. The author is tremendously biased because he loves everything that has to do with Scandinavian countries; - and Norway in particular. He loves the country, the people, the language, the culture and most notably everything they did in the domain of cinema and television. When he found out about a vigilante/revenge thriller set in the snowiest regions of Norway, the high rating and favorable comments already were as good as established...

Still, even when trying to remain skeptical, I can't find anything negative to write about "Kraftidioten", a.k.a. "In Order of Disappearance". The plot may be simplistic and quite derivative, but this gets massively compensated for via the sober atmosphere, the stoic tone of narration, the subtle dry humor, the genius character drawings, the astounding filming locations, ... Let's see, what else is great? Oh yes, the phenomenal performances of the ensemble cast, with Stellan Skarsgard in the lead. Nils Dickman, a calm and introvert plow driver with an unfortunate last name, has just been awarded with the title of "Citizen of the Year" in his quiet and peaceful community. But then tragedy strikes, as his 19-year-old son Ingvar is murdered - by mistake, in fact - by the local drug cartel. Since they made it look like a simple overdose, Nils is the only person (including his wife) who believes Ingvar's death wasn't accidental and sets out to avenge his son. Rather amateurishly but efficient, Nils begins at the bottom of cartel's hierarchy ladder and works his way up. The killing Nils does unwillingly ignite a gang war between the Norwegian drug lord and their Serbian associates.

Admittedly, we've all seen this plot numerous times before, but the simple fact that it's Norwegian makes it unique and refreshing! Also, writer/director Hans Petter Moland adds a few splendid little gimmicks, like displaying the name (and nickname) of each newly deceased person on a black screen with a cross. "Kraftidioten" is also really, really funny in case you like your humor pitch black and dry as the desert. Personally, I laughed very loud with the dialogue about snow and bad weather being the reasons for a country's prosperity. That scene could have come straight out of Quentin Tarantino's pen, actually. The constant battling and bickering between the merciless gangster and his ex-wife, principally about the custody of their son, is fantastic as well. You don't immediately expect this type of situations happening to relentless criminals, but it's very original and downright hilarious. "Kraftidioten" often gets compared, especially around this wonderful website, with the work of the Coen brothers (evidently with "Fargo" in particular) and the aforementioned Quentin Tarantino. I believe Moland's film stands entirely on its own, but obviously there are far worse people to get compared with in the film industry. And, for once, I'm also really looking forward to the Hollywood remake, because Moland remained the director and because Skarsgard's role is reprised by none other than the amazing Liam Neeson.

Greetings again from the darkness. "The Count" versus "Papa" should not be mistaken for a new cartoon featuring Sesame Street battling The Smurfs. This Norwegian film from director Hans Petter Moland and writer Kim Fupz Aakeson is oddly entertaining, often funny and plenty violent.

Stellan Skarsgard stars as Nils Dickman, a quiet, keep-to-himself snow plow operator who is being recognized as his town's Citizen of the Year. We see Nils clearing what appears to be the same roads over and over with a snow blower that looks like some type of NASA moon vehicle … the mundane life having a rhythm that seems to deliver a kind of peace. Nils' untroubled world is rocked when his son is murdered under suspicious circumstances. It kicks off his mission for revenge … and in the process, this snow plow operator accidentally initiates a mob war between the Norwegians and the Serbs. This might have you wondering where the humor comes in. It could be compared to a Charles Bronson movie – if Bronson was an otherwise meek fellow who was laser-focused on revenge for his son's murder (actually, that sounds like the synopsis of quite a few Bronson movies).

The film is divided into chapters named after the dead bodies … and it's a rapidly changing scoreboard. I counted 14 chapters and 24 victims, but I'll admit it's quite possible I missed one or two. The always interesting Bruno Ganz plays Papa, the cold-blooded leader of the Serbian mob who rarely needs to speak. Pal Sverre Hagen plays "The Count" … the first vegan movie gangster I can recall, and certainly a memorable character who at times seems like a poser, while at other times proves he is ruthless.

The three main characters all have sons who play a major role in both the story and their motivation, and there is a certain symmetry in the ending as two ride off into the proverbial sunset (though the sun evidently rarely shines in this town). And even if you didn't enjoy the subtle humor (both situational and dialogue-driven), you are likely to find a least a chuckle in one of the main character's final words for his ex-wife.

Coen Brothers influence permeates the frosty air – maybe I didn't mention that it's snowy and beyond cold in every scene. The snow is a character here and the real characters fall into one extreme or the other … subdued on the surface or eccentric and desperate for attention. These conflicts bring humor to situations that would otherwise offer nothing but gloom. It's an unconventional and stylish film and one that will probably find a loyal and appreciative audience.

God this film is bad. First let me warn all of you who love Tarantino or Cohen brothers - stay away from this pile of sh#t. It has nothing to do with intelligent black comedy you would expect to watch. None of that ... period. Casting is a disaster and acting is matching it perfectly. Plot could be better written by literally anyone who can actually write. Little kids can make up more fascinating stories and probably v

more funny ones . Don't expect to find any humorous lines or intriguing situations or carefully written dialogues or anything or anyone you could care about. Its a wooden movie as far from being even average as Norway from L.A. Its not a parody also its just a helpless mess.

The freezing cold and snowy setting is always going to make this film just that little bit different from others but its story line certainly won't. Two drug gangs, an innocent victim and someone is out for revenge. Familiar stuff but at first it moves along nicely enough with some heavy and bloody violence. Then things settle into a predictable routine of killings and hence the film's title. Maybe partly because the film makers realised things were becoming slightly farcical they allow humour to creep in and certainly in the audience I shared people began to titter at everything from then on. Bit of a shame but there seemed no prospect of the 'heavy' film getting back on track and although the final denouement is fine, I had originally expected much more and the diversion with the kidnap probably not helpful either.

Most enjoyable movie this year in my opinion.

Top notch acting all the way.

Cold-blooded and measuring acts of paying back the karma, and letting the violent justice roll it's often unpredictable course.

Movie shines in many things, not least immersing audience into setting where it all happens. Showing really lifelike Scandinavian way of living and thinking.

Storyline is not something you can foresee. And balance between tension and darkness is chopped up once in a while with tiny gleam of amusement.

It totally pushed right buttons for me and was more satisfying movie than any other this year.

Very, very good movie, with excellent plot (some resemblance to Cohen brothers), very funny moments and a pretty nice body count. Cast was also "hand picked" and did a perfect job. So, we have a lot of snow, a crime plot, some absurd a la Monty Python which flawlessly blend in, very funny jokes (also by Norwegians about Norwegians), quite a bunch of killings, excellent direction, music, acting and all other movie aspect and what could anyone wish for more? It is also very original in some artistic approaches (therefore the title of the movie in English) and all in all highly recommended. Go and see that Europe (especially Norway) makes outstanding contributions to the 7th art. Enjoy. :)

Once again Scandinavia has delivered another fantastic movie going experience. This time we go to Norway for this little tale of a father avenging the death of his son at the hands of the mafia. One seemingly ordinary man against a whole organization. A fathers love for his son and the lengths he will go to in order to get the justice he deserves. A tale of David and Goliath. The villain up against the underdog.

In Order of Disappearance stars Stellan Skarsgard and a host of other talented Scandinavian actors. Combining the great acting with a superb script, beautiful cinematography and moments of violence, its everything you want from a Harry Brown or Get Carter style of movie. With similarities to Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as well as those just mentioned, In Order of Disappearance is sure to gain the attention of people who are into the revenge seeking gangster style of film! Go out there and see it!

Sigh. Why couldn't I have been the writer or director of this film? Hell, I would even settle to be best boy, gaffer, caterer, shoe shine specialist or whatever. It's finally refreshing to see a movie that has all the T's crossed and the I's dotted. It stars Stellan Skarsgard and Bruno Ganz, for Heaven's sake. How bad could it be?

I didn't come into the film expecting much other than it was yet another entry in Norwegian cold landscape crime noir category. The scenery alone was worth the price of admission since it's quite the chore to film snowy landscapes. Here, the snow-capped mountains looked a postcard come to life. The direction was taut and there were no wasted scenes. I couldn't help but noticing there was a bit of a Tarantino-esque touch to a few parts of the movie, but I'm not complaining. This film has a lot of layers to it and it is easy to follow. The producers should be proud of themselves.

Possibly movies with subtitles are taken more seriously, even when they have very little to offer. If this movie featured English-speaking characters like Vin Diesel, Liam Neeson or Bruce Willis wiping out bad guys one by one, with little dialogue or nuance, it would have been deservedly panned or ignored. Yet people treat this mindless film like some sort of Indie art-house film. There are one or two minor flourishes, e.g. flashing a cross on the screen whenever a bad guy dies, but the movie is pretty much a straightforward revenge movie that makes Dirty Harry movies seem subtle. It is all too easy for the vengeful father in this film, an ordinary citizen, to find and dispatch career criminals. There is one scene in which bad guys banter about the welfare state, but that's hardly enough to justify comparisons to Quentin Tarantino. On the whole, the script is so simpleminded, you won't even need to read the subtitles to follow the action. I love Scandinavian crime fiction and film generally, but this Norwegian film is a rare exception.

the screenplay is not good as it should be, then if the screenplay is bad, the director, even he is a genius, won't salvage it to become a better film. but the worst part that made this film become so horrible is the disastrous miscast, except the leading actor, stellan skarsgard, who played nils role, other than him, most of the supporting roles could be the living example of how a miscast and bad casting job would ruin a film. among them, the worst cast and actor is pal sverre hagen, who played the Norway drug-lord mobster, what a clown actor with no talent at all. the other bad news is the screenplay writer, he obviously not quite knows how to portray the bad guys because he made them look like a bunch of impotent, stupid, jerk-like clowns; but none of them is worse than the actor who played fin. the only thing that looks good is the cinematography, the snow, the snow ploughing, the coldness, the vastness and bitterness of the long winter scenes are all sharply done through the camera lens. the screenplay also further damaged by a lousy English subtitles.